We love car auctions. There's always a bargain to be found, or an oddball to be spotted. It's also fun to sit back and watch as the mega-rich push up the prices on collectible classics. Sometimes one even gets to see a celebrity car go on the auction block.
The latest celeb to sell one of his automotive babies is none other than U2 frontman Bono. The rock singer is about to auction off his 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL through Car & Classic. This Merc is a modern classic in its own right, but Bono has made some choice modifications that set this 450 SEL apart from any other.
Bono, who also owns exotic rides like the Maserati Quattroporte, bought this 1980 450 SEL in celebration of U2's first album, titled 'Boy'. When Bono bought the car back in 1980 he immediately made some modifications to suit his specific needs. The most notable change has to be the cowhide pattern upholstery. The car also features a monstrous Alpine sound system that includes several amplifiers and subwoofers.
The system is so powerful that Bono kept a fire extinguisher in the back in case things got a bit too hot. According to sources, he paid the equivalent of $64,925 to have it installed. This gray 450 SEL has a healthy 163,000 miles on the odometer and is powered by the original 6.9-liter cast-iron V8 engine producing around 290 horsepower.
"The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is known for its luxurious aesthetics and with this particular car it keeps elements of that, but if you really want to catch the eye of everyone you drive past with its custom interior and sound system, this is the car for you. And if that doesn't do it, the subatomic sound system installed by the one and only Bono will most definitely make heads turn. This isn't just your regular classic Mercedes from the Eighties, this is a piece of modern rock music history," said Chris Pollitt, head of editorial at Car & Classic. The car is expected to sell for around $20,730 (about as much as a Toyota Corolla Hatchback). The online auction starts on 18 July and ends on 25 July at 5 pm.